Michu has admitted to Spanish radio channel Cope that he asked Granada's players to let his Rayo Vallecano team score – thus relegating Villarreal – just moments before Raúl Tamudo's goal.

The drama of the relegation battle unfolded particularly intensely at Vallecas. Falcao had just put Atlético de Madrid 1-0 up against Villarreal at El Madrigal and the news spread like wildfire amongst Rayo Vallecano’s players. One of them, Michu has admitted asking members of the opposing team, Granada, to let Rayo score – thus relegating Villarreal – just moments before his teammate, Raúl Tamudo, found the back of the net.

"When I found out that Atlético had scored, I told someone on the Granada team – I don't remember who – and he said ‘Really? Swear it to me, '" Michu stated on Cope. Footage shows Piti and Michu talking to Íñigo López in the move leading up to Tamudo's crucial goal, which secured Rayo’s future in the Spanish first division for another year.